Another world championship Muay Thai card will be hosted in Leeds (capital of the north) this weekend at the Leeds Town Hall, when Richard Smith's Bad Company Gym put two of their leading lights in hotly anticipated rematches, in both cases to retain their respective honours. Andy Howson and Jordan Watson share three things in common; they are Leeds lads, fight out of Bad Company gym, and hold ISKA World title belts, one of which will be on the line come Saturday as Howson takes on former foe and friend Dean James. Watson is fresh from a title defence in April, but the fight is not without significance as this rematch from The Contender will determine the #1 ranked super-welterweight, or 70kg MAX fighter in Britain.

In their first meeting, the likeable Howson dropped a decision to the current #1 ranked Bantamweight James on the stacked show at the London Excel, headlined of course by Watson vs. former 2x K-1 MAX champion and Lumpini tournament winner Buakaw Por.Pramuk. Howson feels that he did not perform to his best abilities on that night, and after recovering and going on to win the ISKA world title at bantamweight, he looks to avenge the previous defeat and claim the undisputed #1 rank in Britain.

Watson for his part lost that night too, though in taking the superstar Buakaw the distance and extending him to the point of doubt come the time for scorecards, he earned a new level of respect on the English, UK and international circuits. He too went on to win ISKA honours, which he has just defended. This fight though, a rematch from the Contender and one that he is favourite to win, would cement him as the best 70MAX Muay Thai boxer in the UK, and that may well be just as important to him.

Watson has been a tipped prospect in British Muay Thai since his teenage years, with the East Leeds youngster winning seven junior titles and quickly rising up the adult ranks as a boy. Since fighting international competition, he has beaten multiple top ranked opponents, had an even bout with one of the true superstars of stand-up fighting in Buakaw, and has won a world title. He's 23, and there's more honours on the horizon for him.